Salton Kegerator Conversion

[Rudeboy]

Took the plunge on the Salton. $149 can't get cheaper than that.

One more question Bradsul. I'm going to go with the PVC tower eventually and your cooling solution. The cooling solution is well documented in the other thread but is there a thread for the PVC tower? I see threads about adding drip trays, insulating, etc. But not one on the specs of building one.

I know it looks real simple but then so am I.

Rudeboy

 

[jimmypager]

I had concerns about the temperature of the Salton as well and so far have held of buying it. I don't like ice cold beer but wanted the option of a colder temperature range.

Let us know how your conversion goes.

 

[bradsul]

One more question Bradsul. I'm going to go with the PVC tower eventually and your cooling solution. The cooling solution is well documented in the other thread but is there a thread for the PVC tower? I see threads about adding drip trays, insulating, etc. But not one on the specs of building one.

I'm not sure if it's documented on here. To be honest it's pretty simple, you just need a toilet flange, a length of 3" pipe and an end-cap. Cut a hole in the plastic top of the fridge, paint the pieces and assemble them. I put the flange underneath the plastic fridge top so it would look cleaner, used 4 lag bolts with large fender washers to hold it down (they're visible in the tower cooling thread). Getting the shanks mounted evenly is the tough part, but if you take your time it's not difficult.

 

[BeerCanuck]

++ on Bradsul
The predone single tap is the easier to install and shiney;

copper cooling solution rocks

Cheers
BeerCanuck

 

[Rudeboy]

OK finally done the grinding and cutting inside. Man that was a lot of work.

I'm going to just use my picnic taps for now but I'm getting a stainless double tap from morebeer.com. (The PVC looks real good but I think we're running up against my DIY capabilities, and my wife's patience.)

But I see no screws connecting the top. Anyone taken the top of a Salton?
In the alternative anyone drilled through the top of a Salton?

Thanks

Rudeboy

 

[vfinch]

I picked up my Salton today (last one in the store, looks like they won't carry it anymore), and I'm pretty excited. I've already removed the door liner and replaced it with a wooden frame for the seal to clamp against. I have my first keg of Hefeweizen sitting inside being carbonated and I'm enjoying my excellent brown ale, what could be better?!?!? Next step is to start building a coffin top so the wife will let me take it out of the garage and into the house

 

[Gabrew]

Has anyone drilled through the top of the Salton??? I`ve tried taking the top off but it seems cemented onto there. I was thinking of taking a chance and simply drilling through the top and hoping for the best but i`m kinda scared .

 

[wfeddern]

Canadian Tire has the salton on sale now for $139

Have not seen any comments on drilling the top yet. Can someone who has drilled the top for a tap comment on how it went, and what the safe area is to drill.

 

[Gabrew]

Hey everyone. Finally got all my stuff together and contemplated the infamous question as to whether or not there are lines running through the top. Well from what I can see...NO.

The hardest part was to peel of the top of the fridge, everytime I heard a crack, I thought....''oh hell...I just messed it up!''. But as OCB said before...there is absolutely no problem. As long as you take your time and go from corner to corner (the front corners because the ones in the back have no grip) you'll be fine.

So here are some of the pics I took. I`m planning on cutting a plywood for reinforcement...although it may not be necessary...I`m going all the way.

Hope this helps some of you.

I`m planning on making a topic with the whole conversion once everything is compeleted...therefore tips and recommendations are welcome.

Special thanks goes to OCB and Bradsul!





Carefully ungluing the top part.

Area where I tested with a spike to ensure no lines are running through, area where the plywood will be placed.

Teaser pics of whats comming up
(got only a keg for now but definately planning on a second soon)

Have more pics but limited to only four...

 

[bradsul]

Jealous of your faucets! I really need to pony up the cash and buy some Perlicks.

 

[Gabrew]

I knew i`d wanna change in the future if I had bought the traditional faucets...

 

[Gabrew]

QUICK UDPATE:

This is what it looks like so far...dunno what you guys think.

i`m thinking of filling the board and flange with spray foam to equal it all out....

 

[bradsul]

Are you planning to run your mounting bolts all the way to the interior or just attach the flange to the plywood? If the former I wouldn't worry about back-filling with the spray foam. If the latter you'll probably want it for the extra stability, but I wouldn't spray the foam until after you've re-installed and secured the top. Make sure you put some weight on it, you'd be surprised the pushing power that stuff has as it expands and cures.

 

[Gabrew]

I`m planning on mounting the bolts all the way to the interior. I just don't want to put the top over the plywood and leaving a gap...not that it would likely affect the stability, i just want to make sure that the top remains solid all over. Perhaps if I simply add a second plywood over and cut it in a way that would fill the gap....

 

[BeerCanuck]

Looking good Gabrew
Welcome to the board.
I like the idea of cutting a board to fill in the void....maybe some pink insulation cut to size might be an easier application or a expanding insulation trim to fit?

Cheers
BeerCanick

 

[wfeddern]

I have a salton I am part way through converting. This thread has been extremely helpful so far, but I have a question:

I have ground down the 'ridges' as the OP did, which exposes the foam that is under the plastic. Do I need to worry about covering/sealing this exposed area?

Thanks,
Walter.